Published on: 29th May 2020
Greater Manchester rapid response team has helped more than 500 young people, experiencing a mental health crisis, in its first 12 months.
This innovative service was set up in May 2019 and aims to see a young person within two hours, helping to avoid attendance at A&E and hospital admissions.
The service has 40 nurses, youth support workers and social workers, based across four local teams, covering all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester.
Joanne Huddart, service lead at Pennine Care, which manages the service, said: “The impact of the work we are doing is making a real difference to young people in Greater Manchester. The feedback that we receive from young people and their families demonstrates how important this service is to support those in crisis.”
One mum, whose child accessed the service, said: “Without the support of the rapid response team my son would have been taken in as an inpatient, instead we were able to give him the care he needed in his home.”
The service has continued to support and help young people throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Joanne Huddart adds: “Despite the challenges at the current time we have continued to help young people in crisis. We have introduced video consultations and also continued to see young people in their own homes.
“For any young person who has already accessed the service since February this year and find they are struggling as a response to Covid-19, they can also now self-refer themselves directly to us.”
The rapid response teams provide risk assessment and management for young people who are experiencing a mental health crisis. They continue to support young people, along with their families, for up to 72 hours, working with them to create a crisis plan.
This is part of the Greater Manchester Crisis Care Pathway for children and young people ,which aims to improve the overall experience and outcomes for those with mental health issues, along with those who care for and work with them. The pathway is delivered by us, in partnership with Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.